The idea is, that when you continuously hammer James, you’re supposed to dissuade him from coming back for more. Washington is trying to contain LeBron, but it just isn’t happening (but hey, at least Brendan Haywood got kicked out!). The Wizards played hack-a-Shaq on James for practically the entire game, and while it worked in the sense that James was only 10-17 from the line…. the Cavs were up 20 points for the bulk of the contest. James simply gets stronger as the game goes on.

James has been unstoppable. His 10-17 foul line mark was the only blemish on his stat sheet. LeBron finished with 30 points, 12 assists, 9 boards, 2 blocks, and a steal. James seemed to feed off of the physical nature of Washington’s defense and he kept up his attack throughout the game. James could’ve easily had a triple double, as he left the game with over six minutes left and the Cavs leading by over 20. James finished just 9-19 from the field (2-6 from 3) but the second half was filled with bad shots and wasted possessions, as the game wasn’t close after halfway though the third period.

Oh, and LeBron guarded Gilbert. The Cavs defense was outstanding. In addition to James, Arenas was bother by a sore wrist and only shot 2-10. The Cavs threw a bunch of different looks at Jamison, holding him to just 9 points on 4-13 shooting. The biggest surprise for me was the fact that Caron Butler didn’t go off. I figured Butler would bounce back after sub-par Game 1, but he could never get himself going (Wally Szczerbiak bothered him for most of the game).

Starting Szczerbiak seems to be working out. Wally bounced back from a mediocre Game 1 to score 15 points on 6-9 shooting (2-5 from 3). Szczerbiak hit his open jumpers, but he also mixed it up enough to keep the Washington defense honest. Wally went inside a couple of times, including a drive where he broke out his seldom used finger roll. If Wally can find his stroke, it could really change the entire outlook of this second season.

Yes, Wally Szczerbiak finger rolls… it was the Cavs’ day. The Cavs shot 52% from the field and 52% behind the arc. They outrebounded the Wizards 49-34 and held Washington to just 38% shooting. All twelve Cavaliers who played, scored (even Billy Thomas!). Best of all, Cleveland held the Wizards’ Big 3 to a combined 10-38 from the floor.

The amazing thing is, this is as good as the Cavs have looked since the trade (especially when you factor in everyones contributions). This is how the team was supposed to look following the February shakeup. Wally and Boobie Gibson were knocking down open jumpers, Ben Wallace and Varejao were doing the dirty work inside (a combined 15 points and 15 boards in 39 minutes) and Z (7-11) and Joe Smith (4-9) simply made shots. Delonte West didn’t have an amazing game, but he made a 3, had 3 assists and didn’t turn the ball over. Guys filled their rolls; the shooters shot, the bench guys hustled (Devin Brown: 7 points, 5 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals) and everyone looked like they knew where they were supposed to be.

One team looked like they’re coming off of a Finals birth, another team has a bunch of nice players. I was surprised at Washington’s lack of fight. The Cavs were up 20 with about six minutes to go in the third, but you could the Wizards were done. They could never even muster up a late run to cut the lead to 12. The fourth quarter was basically garbage time.

Wait, you’re telling me that Drew Gooden and DeShawn Stevenson are friends? I’m shocked. With 9:40 left in the third period and the Wizards down 60-41, Stevenson made a 3 to score Washington’s first basket of the second half to make it 60-44. Then, on the way back up the court, Stevenson broke out his dumb face gesture. LeBron proceeded to hit a 3 on the following possession. Only a dumbass talks trash while down double digits. To LeBron James. In the playoffs. In Cleveland.

and finally…

Bury them. Keep the foot on the gas. Don’t go into Washington and give them any hope of winning this series. Get the 3-0 lead and finish this thing off. The Cavs have looked great since the playoffs began and they could make a strong statement with a victory in DC on Wednesday night. The crowd will definitely be tough (the Cleveland crowds have been great thus far) but if the Cavs can keep up the defensive intensity (and watch out for some cheap offensive fouls on LeBron), the Cavs should be in a good position to take a commanding 3-0 lead.